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Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
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Configurational entropy and diffusivity of supercooled water
1Center for Polymer Studies, Department of Physics, Boston University, Massachusetts 02215, USA. scala@phys.uniroma1.it
Nature
|July 26, 2000
Summary
The thermodynamic approach links liquid dynamics to configurational entropy. This study validates this approach for water, showing it governs diffusive dynamics and can predict supercooled liquid behavior.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Physical chemistry
- Statistical mechanics
Background:
- Liquid properties near the glass transition are governed by local energy minima and configurational entropy.
- The thermodynamic approach posits a relationship between configurational entropy and diffusion constant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To rigorously test the thermodynamic approach for liquid water.
- To investigate the role of configurational entropy in water's anomalous dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Calculating configurational entropy across a wide temperature-density range for water.
- Utilizing a computational model that accurately reproduces water's known dynamical anomalies.
Main Results:
- The thermodynamic approach successfully explains the characteristic dynamic anomalies observed in liquid water.
- Diffusive dynamics in water are demonstrated to be directly governed by configurational entropy.
Conclusions:
- The thermodynamic approach provides a valid framework for understanding supercooled liquid dynamics.
- This approach may be generalizable for predicting the behavior of various supercooled liquids.
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